Outstanding trainees

Trainee Prize 2015 for three trainees of the Max Planck Institutes in Martinsried

This year, three vocational trainees of the Max Planck Institutes (MPI) of Neurobiology and of Biochemistry are awarded the "Trainee Prize 2015" of the Max Planck Society. Xaver Rait, Angela Sacher and Alexander Ullrich are honored for their outstanding school and job performances, as well as for their social commitment. The prize acknowledges the achievements and personal development of vocational trainees training in one of the 83 Max Planck Institutes. Endowed with 750 Euros, the prize is award this year to 17 trainees throughout Germany.

Two Trainee Prizes are awarded to Biology Laboratory Technicians of the Institutes. Xaver Rait and Alexander Ullrich both reduced the time of their vocational training by more than six months. The grades of their final exams ranged in the upper third of their class at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) for Munich and Upper Bavaria. In October 2015, Xaver Rait will also be honored as best IHK graduate this year. In the time of their training, Xaver Rait and Alexander Ullrich distinguished themselves by their social commitment and well-reasoned contributions to problems presented in class lessons. Alexander Ullrich spoke up for the interests of his fellow trainees as member and now chair of the Youth and Vocational Education Representation at the Institutes. "In class, Mr. Ullrich regularly asked questions that showed his ability to analyze scientific results at an early stage", relates Katrin Schultz, the head of the Biology Laboratory Technician Training. "This is an important trait that we look for in our trainees."

Angela Sacher, the third awardee, accomplished her training as Office Clerk in the administration of the MPI of Neurobiology. She too was able to reduce her time of training – by an entire year – and completed her training with an above-average final exam grade. "Angela Sacher distinguished herself by her independent, diligent and responsible work", shares Melanie Grosser, the training officer of Angela Sacher. Due to these traits, Angela Sacher was assigned the conceptual planning of the new training job "Business People for Office Management".

Considering the outstanding achievements and social competence of the three laureates it comes as no surprise that all three already found employment at the Institutes after completion of their training. The scientists in the department "Proteomics and Signal Transduction" at the MPI of Biochemistry are now supported by Xaver Rait, while Alexander Ullrich contributes to the research in the department "Electrons – Photons – Neurons" at the MPI of Neurobiology. Angela Sacher now works where she previously trained – in the administration of the MPI of Neurobiology.

The Managing Director of the MPI of Neurobiology, Herwig Baier, presented the certificates and congratulated the awardees on their accomplishments. "I am delighted to see that three of our trainees were recognized for their achievements by the Trainee Prize 2015. Taking into account the awards of the previous years, this shows clearly the quality of the vocational training at the Institutes."

The vocational training at the Max Planck Institutes in Martinsried

The Max Planck Institutes in Martinsried, the MPI of Neurobiology and the MPI of Biochemistry, are known for their excellent scientific work. However, outstanding research is possible only in a high class working environment, i.e. with the support from members in administration and service groups. It thus comes to no surprise that the two MPIs are also well known as an accomplished company training center. For almost 40 years, young people train in an international research environment for their future job. Currently, the two institutes offer training for one of the following six professions:

• Animal Keeper in Research and Clinic
• Biology Laboratory Technician
• Business People for Office Management
• IT Specialist for System Integration
• Media Designer in Digital and Print
• Precision Mechanic

Further information on the vocational training of the institutes.